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Two scholars spent the better part of an afternoon in the local Starbucks arguing the theories of Evolution versus Creationism. Getting nowhere they decided to head for the coast to visit a popular local sage named Chung Lee who reputedly had the answers.

Upon arrival to his shack hidden amongst the dunes, they parked and started walking up a hill to where the old sage was sitting with his face towards the sea. After approaching him the old man turned, directed his eyes upon them and asked, "Where's the coffee?"

The two became puzzled. "Sir, one said, we were told you could help us with the greatest philosophical dilemma of our age. . . perhaps even give us some insight into the theories of which we are about to speak."

Chung Lee answered, "Yes, of course, but go now, next time you come bring me a cup of Starbucks coffee, then we will speak of your theories."

The following morning they returned bearing a large cup of Starbucks coffee. After greetings, they handed the old sage the cardboard tray and opened their individual portfolios, each anticipating a quick and decisive victory.

Chung Lee, while sipping his coffee quickly went over each theory, handed the papers back, looked out to sea and finished the coffee before beginning to speak.

"The two theories are mere disciplines, and although seemingly opposing views, upon deeper reflection are one and the same. The difference lies in your interpretation and in your desire to understand the mystery. But alas, the mystery cannot be contained in a theory, so you are beating your learned heads against a brick wall."

Going on he said. "Each is merely a doorway, and being so can never explain the goings on within the room. You need theory to find the doorway, but once opened this very same discipline becomes your stumbling block. Theory can never reveal truth, only the pathway to it.

The two looked at each other, excused themselves and walked back to the car.

"This is a wise man?" one asked. "He sends us for coffee, then he comes up with this gibberish?"

"Yes, it is strange," said the other. "Yet his reputation is such there has to be something we are missing. Let's give him a chance to prove himself."

The two go back to where the old man is sitting. "Sir, excuse us, but we don't understand. What are we missing?"

The old man held up the empty cup. "This cup will always contain the mystery, but as you smell of it, sip of it, and enjoy drinking it, you one day realize you don't really care how Starbucks made such a good cup of coffee, you are just glad they did. And thanks be to the mystery, as long as there are people like you seeking to understand it, I will never have to worry about getting my morning cup."

The old man held up the empty cup. "This cup will always contain the mystery, but as you smell of it, sip of it, and enjoy drinking it, you one day realize you don't really care how Starbucks made such a good cup of coffee, you are just glad they did. And thanks be to the mystery, as long as there are people like you seeking to understand it, I will never have to worry about getting my morning cup."

Past a certain point it's definately easy to lose the beauty of it all while being too busy chasing down the answers.
Of course, speaking as someone who loves his coffee like a thirsty man loves water, there's something to be said for learning the mystery so you don't have to rely on scholars to bring you your sweet sweet nectar.
...and while I've enjoyed some great coffee at small shops, Starbucks is pretty fricken good! Wisdom be damned!

Yes, the story was good.... Recommend your nearest local roaster or failing that Peet's. I find Starbucks to be a very weak tasting coffee. I would be happy to use Starbuck's in a fight by tossing a hot cup of it in somebody's face, since it is generally pretty hot and then I'd have an empty cup to fill w/ something better :-)

Actually it's all about the the caffeine. If your coffee lacks caffeine then your coffee is not effective. The question does remain though,just what is caffeine?

There are those that say it is simply there, in the coffee, hiding in plain sight for anybody who wants to taste it. There are those who say one must exercise diligently, using equipment like grinders or filter paper or presses, in order to develop it.

Peete's is available at King's supermarkets on the East Coast and online.

Good coffee. Nice people.

Not that there aren't others, but there you are!

There are many styles of coffee shops to choose from. It's good to visit many coffee shops and find the one that you feel the most comfortable in and that serves the kind of coffee you are looking for.

There are many styles of coffee shops to choose from. It's good to visit many coffee shops and find the one that you feel the most comfortable in and that serves the kind of coffee you are looking for.

Daily drinking is the key to unlocking the mysteries.

"In my opinion, the time of spreading aikido to the world is finished; now we have to focus on quality." Yamada Yoshimitsu

There are many styles of coffee shops to choose from. It's good to visit many coffee shops and find the one that you feel the most comfortable in and that serves the kind of coffee you are looking for.

Ideally one would discover the coffee shops menu, hours of operation and pricing before going. Often this can be accomplished by viewing the shops website, emailing or calling the shop ahead of time to ask these questions.When calling it is advisable not to call during actual peak hours of coffee making in progress, as it disrupts those who are there to drink. But many coffee shops are perfectly ok if you just dropping in to observe. Please try to arrive well in advance of the actual rush so that the regulars can show you where it is appropriate for you to sit and answer any questions you might have.

Anyone who knows anything knows that coffee is crap. I think there's a guy up in Seattle with a "Coffee is Crap" t-shirt. Or was that "Ki...". Oh, well, it matters not... Properly made tea is, of course, superb. Real martial artists enjoy a nice cup of darjeeling or sencha... And since I'm enjoying a lovely cop of English Breakfast Tea at this very moment, obviously I am a superb martial artists too. And wise!

Properly made tea is, of course, superb. Real martial artists enjoy a nice cup of darjeeling or sencha... And since I'm enjoying a lovely cop of English Breakfast Tea at this very moment, obviously I am a superb martial artists too. And wise! .

Hey, this is the coffee site. I wish you tea people would just stay over at the alt.beverage place. Sheesh......

(actually written as I sip a cup of freshly brewed River Shannon blend, doh!)

Real martial artists enjoy a nice cup of darjeeling or sencha... And since I'm enjoying a lovely cop of English Breakfast Tea at this very moment, obviously I am a superb martial artists too. And wise!

Tut, tut, uncultured heathen...

and you called yourself cultured tea drinker? get back in the line! it's King's Tea 403 Green or 509 Dark if you preferred oolong. tasted bitter at first sip, but sweeten your whole throat after. that's bitter-sweet.

of course i can't tell the different between good coffee and bad coffee. they all tasted like burned beans to me. that's why i usually have coffee with my cream and sugar.